UK - US Relationship is Fine Apparently?

As Biden flew into Northern Ireland he had arranged to meet Rishi Sunak at a hotel in Belfast. The pair met over coffee and sat around a table. Earlier Sunak met the President as Airforce 1 touched down in Northern Ireland. Many noticed (including myself) how Sunak seemed almost irrelevant and struggled to get the attention of the President. As I wrote yesterday Sunak often seems like a lightweight when meeting people like Macron and Biden.

Around the coffee table, Sunak was all smiles and Biden looked like he wished he was somewhere else. As if meeting Sunak was a minor irritation on his way to getting on with other issues.

Mr. Biden is now in the Irish Republic discovering his Irish roots in County Mayo. The Finnigan family (the ancestors of the President) left Ireland to put down roots in the US. Mr. Biden will meet the Irish Prime Minister and President. However, Mr. Biden also has English roots with a living cousin still alive in England (surname Biden). It seems though it is politically expedient to talk up his Irish roots to attract a substantial Irish-American vote. Although population for population English-Americans outnumber Irish-Americans.

Northern Irish Loyalist parties like the DUP have accused Biden of being "anti-British". Obviously because of Biden's Irish roots and his strong Christian faith in the Catholic church. Many have accused the US President of being pro-Irish and accused him of meddling in internal UK affairs. Tony Blair even told the President to back off from UK internal affairs.

In a speech, Mr. Biden said he was not interfering but at the same time, he hoped the peace in Northern Ireland would hold. He also hoped the 'Windsor Agreement' an agreement with the EU regarding Northern Ireland would succeed. The President expressed the hope that Sinn Fein, the DUP, and others, would sit again in Stormont at the assembly for devolved government.

Various sources accuse Biden of being anti-British the White House was forced to deny this. Rishi Sunak said the US-UK relationship is in "great shape". Mr. Sunak said that during the 45-minute meeting, both men discussed Northern Ireland. Other issues were also discussed like Ukraine and other foreign affairs. Mr. Sunak pointed out that both he and the President had a good working relationship. Plans are afoot for the US President and UK Prime Minister to meet again in May and June.

The White House and 10 Downing Street may attempt to paper over the cracks of tension between Sunak and Biden. The conversation between both men would not have been totally hunky dory. There will have been thorny issues as both men sat down and downed their respective coffees.

However, both men will be on the same page when it comes to issues like Ukraine - Russia, China - Taiwan, North Korea, Iran - Israel, etc. The US - UK relationship ever since the War of Independence and the 1812 War to today has been a bumpy ride. Since 1945 there has developed a so-called special relationship between the US and the UK. Roosevelt and Churchill were close. Maggie and Ronnie were close. Obviously, we cannot forget the infamous relationship between Blair and Bush. Obama and Cameron seemed to be buddies though the relationship soured towards the end. Between Biden and Sunak? History will judge this no matter how long either leader is in office.

Biden may be dealing with Sir Keir Starmer after May's general election or indeed Sir Keir may be dealing with another US President if Biden does not stand or get re-elected. Of course, all this is speculation and the future is unknown.

ished